Patent FR-2861049-A1 (FR)
Title: Device, for recovering damaged vessel and re-floating sunken wreck, involves using multitude of floats inserted into envelope which is introduced into vessel through hole
Inventor: KACH GEORGES
IPC: B63C7/12
Filed: 2003-10-21
Abstract: A multitude of floats (9) are introduced into an envelope (8) which in turn has been introduced into a cavity in the damaged or sunken vessel via an existing or purpose-made hole (3). An opening (81) in the envelope is mounted on a resistant frame (82) and held by arms to a border pressing on the edge of the hole in the vessel. The floats enter the envelope via a tube (6). A means of accumulation, such as an envelope, can be introduced into the inside of a vessel or wreck to receive and retain a certain quantity of the floats. The envelope has an opening (81) mounted on a resistant frame, such as a torus (82), where the floats can pass through the torus and the opening to go inside the envelope. The envelope is introduced into a cavity in the vessel by passing it through an existing hole or one which has been made in the structure of the vessel. The envelope is held by a system made of at least three borders to limit its movements. Each border has an arm attached at one side to the torus and at the other side to a border which presses on the edge of the opening or another element of the structure to prevent the envelope from moving away from the hole and to limit the distance between the opening and the torus. A means of filling, such as a tube, is used to facilitate the channeling of the floats from the outside of the cavity into the means of accumulation. The tube has an internal end (61), an external end (62) and a tunnel (63) through which the floats pass. The tube is positioned partially inside the envelope by passing it through the hole (3) giving access to the cavity and then through the opening (81) in the envelope. One end and part of the tunnel stay outside the cavity, so the floats can pass through the tunnel from outside the cavity into the envelope. A fixed connection for the tube, such as a shoulder near the outside end of the tube fixes the tube to an external nozzle supplying the floats. The arms have a vise to grip the wall or another structural element of the vessel. The floats are spherical and have diameters between two given values and the tube has a circular section slightly larger than the larger of the given diameter values. Each spherical float has a rigid sphere coated with a first layer of open celled mousse and a second layer of impermeable elastic material such as rubber. Alternatively, the floats are cylindrical with hemispherical ends; one end is ballasted so it is always in a vertical position; the diameter of the cylinders is between two given values and the tube has a circular section with a diameter slightly larger than the larger of the given values, and the tube is straight. A counter estimates the number of floats introduced into the envelope and a blocking device made of two bars is fitted at the outside end of the tube so they can turn to allow the floats through or block their passage. A multitude of orifices pass through the walls of the tube to allow air and water to pass through to ease the passage of the floats during rescue of a vessel. The envelope is made of many facets connected together to form a volume. An independent claim is made for a method of using the above device to rescue a damaged vessel or recover a sunken wreck.